

Her stripes will never be white-washed
Her rudbeckia sun
Will never be tilled under
Love!
What cheapness have you done?
Your patch of earth, a briar field
Tall thistle lines your way
When beauty comes to ask you
Dear!
What answer will you say?
What polish, what shine
Will you see me wear today
What love to put on?
You’re going to guide you to truth
Step now into the absolute
With open eyes
Fling far your wishbone
For what virtue
Demands you
Walk blind in the grey
Stutter-step and stiff-arm
Nay-say all you need
Wrestle with doubt and despair
But befriend and deal kindly with time
There’s a lifespan to learn
And eternity to spend
Living from the heart
Be trust an esteemed virtue
Or all foolishness